Page 1 of The Fake Wedding Date

PROLOGUE

“I’m so proud of you, Em. You’re exactly where you always wanted to be in life,” I said, securing the last hook on my sister’s wedding dress.

My chest felt tight, both with happiness and sadness. My sister was getting married to an amazing man and had a fulfilling career that she loved. Sadly, she was also making a life for herself in a completely different country than me.

“I’m so happy, Quinn.” Emory beamed, only fleetingly glancing up to look at me. Her bright eyes were focused on her palms sliding over the delicate beading on her wedding dress—the same dress our mom wore when she married our dad.

“You’re marrying your best friend, Em. I love Ben. And I love how much he loves you.”

Her large, caramel eyes shone with so much happiness when they finally met mine in the mirror that I had to blink to clear away the tears threatening to form.

I sniffled, smiling sadly at our reflections.

“Oh, Quinn. Don’t get all emotional now!” Em released a choked-up laugh. “We will ruin our makeup.”

I looked at the ceiling, waving a hand over my eyes, willing them not to leak.Do not leak!

Emory carefully dabbed the corner of her eye and wrapped an arm around my back. Em and I were all that was left of our small but happy family.

“I miss you,” she said.

I had to swallow around the tightness in my throat before answering.

“I miss you, too,” I choked out, chest heavy. She had only lived with me a few months while she and Ben were on a break, but I’d gotten used to her being there.

She chewed her lip, concern suddenly dancing over her features.

“I don’t like to think of you all alone in Philadelphia. Promise me you will try to make an effort with someone. Go out more often. Try to make a connection outside of work.” She pinned me with a petulant look only a little sister could perfect. “Maybe try dating again. It’s been a year since you broke up with Henry.”

“I don’t want a boyfriend,” I said, distractingly searching the room for the bridal tiara to complete her look. It wasn’t with our coats on the settee or on the windowsill with our bags. I was starting to worry. “I don’t like the commitment. I choose what I want to do. What I want to eat. Decide how to feel. How to spend my own money. I can do what I want without the hassle of checking in constantly.”

“Call it what it is.” She side-eyed me. “You want toworkwithout checking in.”

“So what if I do? Ienjoywork.”

Groaning, she turned and raised an eyebrow at me. I raised mine right back.

“Fine. At least take a lover.” She smirked at me and started touching up her makeup.

I scoffed. “I don’t need a lover.”

“Tell me you’ve had sex since Henry.” I didn’t need to be facing her to feel the look she sent me. “It's been a year.”

“Of course, I've had sex in the last year.”With myself.

I knew my sister, and she wouldn’t stop pestering me until I convinced her I wasn’t alone and miserable. I had done just fine convincing myself of that over the years; I just needed to do the same for her.

I changed the subject. “Where did I put the damn tiara? Do you see it?”

“When?”

“When what?” I knew exactly what she was asking, just didn’t want to answer.

“When did you have sex?”

“Last week.” I smiled.I am happy. Nothing to see here.It was a smile that I had perfected over the years, revealing nothing I felt inside.

“When last week?”

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